no it actually works better this way for a lot of stuff as it gives them a new role, look at penals they increased the price but the performance too giving them new roles , etc
if the objective is to give alternative and not min maxing 2 units shifting role is better
Penals were completely reworked if you have already forgotten.
They were more expensive cons with less utility, more cqc firepower and flamer, overlapping with both, cons and flamer CEs, not having any identity of their own.
Also, its AI/AA specialist unit and already one of a kind in UKF roster, what kind of role shift you want for it?
Should it salvage wrecks? Get repair aura? Detect mines?